23 January 2025- Many Indian expectant parents in the US are opting for premature C-sections in order to deliver their babies before the February 20 deadline, in the wake of President Donald Trump’s executive order that aims to terminate birthright citizenship as part of his harsh anti-immigration policies.
According to the Times of India, most women who choose C-sections are in the eighth or ninth month of their pregnancy, though some are still a few weeks away from full term.
Premature deliveries are a common request, according to Dr. SD Rama, who works at a maternity clinic in New Jersey. “A seven-month pregnant woman who was was due in March and her husband arrived to arrange for an early delivery. She informed TOI.
Since babies born to non-permanent residents after February 20 will not automatically be granted citizenship, there is a great rush to meet the birthright citizenship deadline.
Millions of Indians on temporary visas may be impacted by the significant shift in immigration policy that would end automatic birthright citizenship.
Birthright citizenship is the legal principle that grants children citizenship based on the country of their birth, regardless of their parents’ nationality or immigration status.
Dr. SG Mukkala, an obstetrician in Texas, warned couples about the risks of preterm births, including underdeveloped lungs, feeding issues, low birth weight, and neurological complications.
“I am trying to tell couples that even if it is possible, a preterm birth poses significant risk to mother and child. Complications include underdeveloped lungs, feeding problems, low birth weight, neurological complications and more. In the past two days, I have spoken to 15 to 20 couples regarding this,” the report quoted Mukkala as saying.
For many expectant couples, especially Indians employed in the United States, birthright citizenship provided a safety net.
According to the report, a 28-year-old finance professional stated that if his dependent wife gave birth after the deadline, his plans would be thrown off.
“To get here, we made a lot of sacrifices. With just a few months left before becoming a parent, now, it feels like the door is closing on us,” the H-1B holder said.
